Machinery

The words “heavy machinery” usually call to mind John Deere tractors and bright yellow bulldozers, but this category includes so much more. Oil derricks and mining equipment, Hobart machines, and printing presses all are valuable, unwieldy machines. Machined parts and machinery are some of the items most often shipped professionally, because not everyone has the private equipment needed to move them easily. When you need to move a machine across town or across the globe, we are ready to help.

If you have just learned you need to move machinery, either replacement parts or entire machines, you can get a quick, accurate shipping quote right now by calling us at Pack and Post at 855.322.9684, or you can use our handy form. You can even email us a picture of any particularly large or unusual part or machine, to give us a good idea of the exact nature of your needs. We can recommend and estimate custom crating and special transportation options. Shipping machinery often requires special equipment and routing. We will get you an accurate shipping quote within 24 hours.

Insuring your machinery is very important. If you are unsure of the exact value, we can provide you with professional appraisers who are fully certified specialists in their fields, who have access to thousands of auction records, and who can provide accurate documentation that will stand up to insurance or legal investigation. Bear in mind that the cost of the actual machine and the cost of getting another one shipped should be considered.

Heavy Machinery

Even before the Industrial Revolution, machines were making work easier for people. Waterwheels, windmills, and the aeolipile all had their place. Today, however, there are more machines in the world than ever, doing amazing things. We think of a bulldozer or crane as big, but there is some mining and NASA equipment that dwarfs such things. Oil derricks are machines, too. No matter what it is, when it breaks and must be replaced, or a part is needed, getting it quickly and safely is paramount.

Construction Equipment

Construction equipment makes work on a job site much easier, but if something goes wrong, it affects not only the site but all those who are waiting in line to do their parts…engineers, architects, builders, painters, decorators, etc. We understand the importance of getting the work done in a timely fashion and we can help.

Bulldozers

Wheel loaders

Hydraulic shovels

Scrapers and Graders

Dump Trucks

Cranes

Tractors

Cement Mixers

Farming and Ranching Equipment

Farming and ranching may be largely “automated” these days, but it is still hard work and heavily dependent on timing. Getting seed into the ground or a crop harvested can be very time-sensitive. Too soon or too late, and you lose nutritional value. A change in the weather can upset a year’s worth of planning. Getting the equipment you need to the site at the right time is crucial for success.

Tractors

Manure Spreaders

Hay Balers

Ribbing Plows

Forage and Combine Harvesters

Seed Drills

Flail Mowers

Ribbing Plows and Disc Harrows

Squeeze Chutes

Mining and Oil Industry Equipment

Mining and drilling are big business and take some of the most specialized, large, and heavy equipment on Earth. Some of it gets passed around the internet in pictures, just so laymen can boggle at the enormous sizes of the machinery.

Bail and grinding Mills

Spiral Classifiers

Vibrating Feeders

Jaw, Hammer, Cone, Stone and other Crushers

Magnetic separators

Mixers, Driers,and Drills

Bits, drill collars, drill piping

Crown and Traveling Blocks

Derricks, Rotary Tables, Swivels and Kellys

Komatsu Trucks

Bagger 288 Strip Miners

Other Industries

Machinery is everywhere, doing all kinds of jobs we take for granted. No matter the size or purpose, we can find a way to ship it.

Printing Presses

Turbines and modern Windmills

Re-claimers and Recyclers

Chippers and Shredders

Loaders and Compactors

Services

White Glove Service

This is the same level of care we use for museums.

Expedited Service

In many situations, the machinery is needed immediately. A delay or breakdown on a project or job site is costly on many levels, since timing can be crucial. In harvesting, the windows of opportunity may be dependent on the weather. We will provide overnight and other expedited shipping.

Custom Containment

Machinery often requires custom containment because of its density and weight. We custom build crates from metal or wood, with double-walls or reinforced padding, to suit any item. We have a variety of padding materials and stabilizing tools. If an item needs controlled humidity or temperature, we can allow for that. li>

Any location or method

Same Day, Overnight, Ground, Air, Rail, and Ocean – whether you need domestic or international shipping, we will have options so you can select the best one for the requirements of your project.

Full service

We provide full retrieval and delivery from and to any location. We can come to your factory, job site, ranch, mine, or farm and load directly to minimize the risk of damage. We can unpack and install at the destination, and take away any packing debris.

Documentation

We can provide full documentation and create a clear record for insurance or legal purposes. This is especially important if you are using a shipping method with multiple legs, such as truck to ship to shore to truck. If the piece is being moved internationally, we can assist with customs. Industrial transactions always need a strong administrative trail.

Tips for Shipping Machinery

Calculate the Basics

One of the factors involved in the shipping of heavy machinery is the density per cubic foot. Not just any truck or vehicle has the suspension to handle extremely heavy parts and machines. To determine density per cubic foot, multiply the Length x the Width x the Height. Once you have this number, divide it by 1728. Whatever that number, take the total weight of the machine and divide it by that. The resulting number will tell you how many pounds per cubic foot. This will allow you to determine the freight class of your item.

Determining the freight class will help tell us what is going to be needed. Sometimes, you can put parts on pallets or in crates. Other times, that won’t be an option and a shipment will need special handling and loading equipment.

Give Specific Details

Be sure to give us precise details. For example, if a machine contains liquid that might expand with a change in air pressure, or freeze in the event of cold weather, that is very important. We need to be sure nothing damages the machine in transport. If you want assistance, give us a call any time. Knowing the exact dimensions of your machine or part allows us to give you the best packing and shipping quote up front. Sometimes an inch in size can mean a different vehicle or kind of crating will be needed for shipping a piece. Some items will be so tall that a rail or truck will have to be specially routed to avoid overpasses or tunnels. In some cases, a second or third vehicle may be needed (called idlers) to buffer the main carrier from traffic and other cars on a train.

Consider Your Shipping Goals

If you need a piece to arrive at a site overnight, one service may be better than another. The kind of equipment you are shipping makes a difference, too. For example, extremely large trucks may not always gain access to all locations if there are overpasses or weight-restrictive bridges on the route. Giving us all the information up front allows us to come up with a good plan.

Learn the Costs

Different heavy equipment may have different needs. Tarps may be needed to protect your machine from elements during transport. Special cradles and skids could be involved. Specialized equipment may be needed for loading and unloading. Dismantling may be the best way to safely transport, with re-assembly upon arrival. That could add to the base cost of transportation. We will be glad to help you understand the details of any quote we provide.

Obtain Insurance

Make sure you have an adequate insurance based on not just fair market value, but also the expense of getting another machine or part to the location in question. A professional appraiser can help and may provide extra services such as filming or photographing your shipments from every angle to demonstrate condition. Some shipping carriers have coverage limits, and in some cases you may want additional insurance for a special item. Having professionals help can be useful, and Pack and Post can provide help. Although it is unlikely that anything will go wrong with your shipment, it is wise to be covered, just in case.

Know the Rules

Huge machines and specialized machine parts often take special handling. Be aware of restrictions and regulations that may affect shipping if your piece is going to go to an international destination. Each country will have their own specific export, import, and customs regulations. Duties, taxes, and other fees will also vary depending on the locations involved. You will be asked to declare its value and describe it in some detail. Even though we live in a modern world with a global economy, there are still many industrial rules and regulations that require extreme paperwork and investigation. Equipment must often be inspected for safety, to be sure it is in working order and up to code to prevent industrial accidents.

Clear Communication

Because of the many different kinds of machines, it’s important for everyone involved in a shipment to be aware of the piece and its schedule. Someone may be required to inspect the item on its arrival to verify its condition and functionality. Let both your shipping carrier or broker know about special requirements up front, and be sure to give them ample contact information, such as cell phone numbers, email, and land line options for all the parties that will be involved. We can help coordinate this with you.

Types of Shipping Companies for Heavy Machinery

Freight

A few very small machine parts may be considered “overnight express.” Mid-sized items, depending on their packaging, could be considered “parcel” freight. Shipping with a freight line can be LTL, which means less-than-truckload, indicating that your item will share transport with other items, and may stop at different warehouses and locations along the way. You will also hear about truckload freight, which means you have a truck dedicated only to your item and it will go straight from the point of origin to the destination. Air Freight moves more quickly than standard freight, but does not necessarily mean it is flown in an aircraft.

Shipping large machinery on freight may involve many variables, and require or involve a special trailer, flatbed, step deck, towing, heavy haul equipment, and a secure dry or refrigerated hold. The density and center of gravity will also determine what measures may be needed, such as scaffolding, extra-wide equipment, or dismantling.

Rail

Rail is still one of the preferred methods of moving heavy machinery and machine parts. The weight is much easier to bear on rails, and rail cars and rail-beds are designed to handle extremely heavy loads. Roll-on, Roll-off options may be available. Nonetheless, special arrangements must often be made for off-sized pieces, such as a idler car to preceded or follow the main car, or re-routing to avoid tunnels and narrow spaces.

Van Lines

Van lines usually use actual vans or trucks which are designed for carrying specific kinds of cargo, but may also employ shipping containers. These will offer packing and crating. Vans often have special fixtures for handling large and tall crates securely, padded walls, and come with specialized equipment for moving heavy and awkward objects. You may also need a climate-controlled van if weather is extreme or if the machinery contains liquids that are sensitive to changes in temperature or elevation.

Air and Marine Cargo

Often, you may have to choose between these for international projects. Aircraft will provide a swift ride that is usually smooth with a minimum of bumping around, but it subjects the piece to changes in air temperature and pressure. Not all aircraft are large enough to accommodate large industrial equipment, and sometimes the weight is restrictive.

Marine carriers are usually a smooth ride, but may have air pressure, temperature, and humidity challenges, depending on the route. Cargo ships are often best equipped for loading, transporting, and unloading large machines and machine parts, with cranes and cradles. However, marine shipping is not as swift as using an air carrier. In every case, there will be an ideal solution, and Pack and Post can help you find it.

Stability

One of the most important concerns with heavy machinery transport is stability. Extremely dense, heavy things are very hard to stop once they get moving, so making sure they remain still and free of slippage is important. A heavy metal part can fly right through a wall or bulkhead if there is a sudden stop and it is not secure. Depending on the piece, there are a variety of methods for securing cargo. Some carriers will use chains or steel strapping. Blocks of wood or foam may be used to brace an item to prevent slippage. In some cases, a cargo crate will be suspended above the floor of a hold deck. Synthetic or polyester webbing may be used, and there are even dunnage bags, which are airbags that inflate to hold securely and can be deflated to gently release an item. Method of transport will also dictate how rough or smooth a ride is. In any case, we can be sure you are aware of all the options available and help you choose the right one.

Since Pack and Post is a professional shipping brokerage, we have access to every kind of carrier in the business. We take your information and then look at the big picture with a complete understanding of what is required to get your machinery or machine parts moved. Most importantly, we are experienced in handling huge, heavy, bulky and expensive items of all types and sizes, and coordinating the entire project from start to finish.

Pack and Post has over 28 years of experience, contacts all over the world, and all the tools for every job. We are glad to help organize the relocation of your machinery and equipment. You can relax, confident that every element of the packing, shipping, and even the unpacking and installation at the destination will be considered and allowed for. Call now at 855.322.9684 or use our convenient form for an accurate, professional, personalized quote!